Signal



June9, 1942. I J. G. MORAN 2,285,824

SIGNAL Filed March 14, 1 938 3 Sheets-Sheet l C INVENTOR. James G Moro/7 ATTORNEY.

June 9, 1942. J, a MOR N 2,285,824

SIGNAL Filed March 14, 1938 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

/ m 65 G. Mora/7 ATTORNEY.

June 9, 1942.

J. G. MORAN 2,285,824

SIGNAL Filed March 14, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet s INT ENTOK. James 6. Mora/1 ATTORNEY.

Patented June 9, 1942 i'lED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGNAL James G. Moran, Orland, Calif.

Application March 14, 1938, Serial No. 195,671

10 Claims.

My invention relates primarily to vehicle signals of the general type shown in my Patent 2,176,268, issued October 17, 1939. In order to supply a feasible and practical signal for motor vehicles and comparable vehicular installations, it is advisable to have a structure which can readily be installed, with a small number of connections and conduits; but on the other hand it is equally advisable to have a versatile signal which can afford a sufiiciently good indication of the various vehicle movements so as reasonably to be a substitute for hand signalling.

It is an object of my invention to provide a signal in which connections between the indicating mechanism and the controlling mechanism are very simple and easily installed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a versatile signal which produces a variety of signal indications.

A further object of my invention is to provide a signal which is positively operated by a readily available source of power.

A further object of my invention is to provide a signal which can be installed on a motor vehicle in a prominent location without detracting from the appearance of the vehicle.

The foregoing and other objectsare attained in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, in which Fig. l is in general a cross-section on a vertical, longitudinal plane through a signal constructed in accordance with my invention, certain exterior parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1, with a part broken away to disclose the interior construction in side elevation;

Fig.3 is a rear elevation of the signal of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line 44 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a plan of the pneumatic motor utilized in my signal;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line B6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the valve in one extreme position;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the valve in another extreme position;

Fig. 9 is a detail showing a disc valve in one position;

Fig. 10 is a detail showing a disc valve in a central position;

Fig. 11 is a detail showing a disc valve in another position;

Fig. 12 is a cross-section on an axial plane through a controlling switch used with my signal;

Fig. 13 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line I3-I 3 of Fig. 12

Fig. 14 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line I4I4 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram of the circuit utilized in conjunction with my signal.

In its preferred form, the signal of my invention includes an indicating vane which is mounted for operation by a pneumatic motor. The motor is governed by electromagnetically energized valves under the control of the motor itself and also under the control of a manually operable means located at a distant point convenient to the operator.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, the signal includes a casing 6 provided with a removable cover I, mounted, for example, on the rear fender 8 of a motor vehicle. Within the casing 6 is a globe 9 or other suitable source of electric illumination, the rays from which pass outwardly through a glass wall II or lens.

so that the globe 9 may act as a vehicle taillight. Passing through the wall II is a mounting shaft I2 for an indicating vane I3 which preferably includes an outer metallic frame I4, the opposite sides of which are enclosed by translucent or transparent Walls I6 and II of any desired contour, preferably approximately that of anarrow as shown in Fig. 3.

If the arrow or vane I3 is made of suitable material, such as molded glass with a prismatic surface, it will be sufficiently illuminated in all positions by light passing through the wall II from the globe 9, but, if desired and if deemed preferable, the indicating vane I3 can be made particularly as shown in Fig. l. The hollow interior includes a supporting diaphragm I8 joined to the frame I4 and preferably comprised of reflecting material on which a pair of globes l9 and 21 are mounted. These globes are connected by a wire 22 passing through the hollow shaft I2 into an electric circuit later described. When electricity is supplied to the globes I9 and 2| they illuminate the indicating vane I3 from the interior, so that it is readily visible at night in any of its various positions of rotation about the axis of the shaft I2.

In order appropriately to mount and operate the shaft I2, I locate within the casing 6 a motor 25 which preferably is of the pneumatic type operating upon the difference in pressure between the atmosphere and that existing in the engine manifold of the vehicle on which the device is mounted. This motor is similar to the oscillating motor in universal use for propelling windshield wipers, and includes an arcuate casing 2'! suitably mounted within the casing 6. The shaft |2 extends through a journal 21 on the motor and terminates in a bevel gear 28. This in turn meshes with a comparable bevel gear 23 on a cross-shaft 3| carrying a gear 32. The gear 32 meshes with a gear 33' of slightly different diameter fast on the oscillating shaft 34 to which the piston 35 of the pneumatic motor is connected. The difference in diameters of the gears 32 and 33 is for the purpose of giving a complete half-circle swing to the vane I3, even though the sweep of the piston 36 may be something less than a half-circle. As shown in Fig. 3, the vane I3 is normally in a vertical position C, but it can be energized to occupy either a left-hand position L or a right-hand position R, as indicated in Fig. 3, or to partake of movement between the extreme positions L and R.

While gravity is ordinarily sufficient to maintain the vane l3 in a central position C when the vehicle is at rest on level ground, this condition does not often obtain, and hence I provide means positively for holding the vane H3 in the central position C when it is not actuated. I provide in the casing or cylinder .21 a port 37 passing up through a wall of the casing and communicating with a conduit 38 which extends to the engine manifold so that a sub-atmospheric pressure exists at the port 3?. If the piston 35 occupies a central position the port 31 is closed and the parts remain in location. On the other hand, if there is a tendency to dislodge the vane or piston 36 from its central position, the port 3! is then uncovered, reducing the pressure on the side away from which the piston is moving and immediately pulling it back to the central position. In this fashion the vane and piston are maintained in central position at all times, except when actuated.

In order to actuate the vane |3 by means of the piston 36 when it is desired to afford a signal indication, I locate on the casing 21 a valve housing 39 in which is disposed a piston valve 4|. This valve is preferably of magnetic material and is located between a pair of end stops 42 and 43 forming part of the core of solenoids 44 and 45, respectively. Coil springs 4'! act as centralizers for the piston valve 4i, yet the valve is readily translatable to either of two extreme positions upon the energization of either the solenoid 44 or the solenoid 45.

When the valve 4| is in its central position, the conduit 38 is in communication with the port 31 as previously described. When the solenoid 43, for example, is energized, the piston 4| is translated toward the left, as shown in Fig. '7, and the conduit 38 is connected by a channel 49 to a port 5| in communication with a chamber 52 on one side of the piston 36. At the same time a port 53, opening into a chamber 54 on the other side of the piston 36, is placed in communication through a duct 55 with a port 56 which opens to the atmosphere, thereby permitting oscillation of the piston 36 toward the right or counterclockwise, as seen in Fig. 6, because of the difference in pressure existing on opposite sides thereof.

At the same time the centralizing port 31, which.,ordinarily is in communication with the duct 33, is cut out of communication with such conduit by the translation of the valve 4|, but rather is placed in communication with an atmospheric opening 51 which is open when the piston 36 goes in an anti-clockwise direction from central position as it is uncovered by a disc valve 58 on the shaft 34. So long as the valve 4| remains in its Fig. 7 position the piston 36 will occupy it extreme right-hand position so that the vane l3 Will swing to its right-hand position R and remain there, thus giving an indication for a right-hand turn of the vehicle.

When, however, the energization of the solenoid 45 is interrupted and the solenoid 44 is energized, the valve 4| is translated from its extreme left-hand'position through neutral position into an extreme right-hand position, as indicated in Fig. 8. In this valve position the conduit 38 communicates through the duct 55 with the port 53, thereby reducing the pressure on the left-hand side of the piston 35. At the same time the port 5| through its conduit communicates with an atmospheric port 6|, so that the piston 36 is move-d in a clockwise position or toward the left in Fig. 6, so that the vane I3 is moved into its left-hand position L. During this movement of the piston the centralizing port 31 is placed in communication with the atmosphere through a port 62 which is uncovered by the disc valve 58, as shown in Fig. 11.

So long as the valve 4| remains in its righthand position as shown in Fig. 8, the indicator I3 remains in its left-hand position L as indicated in Fig. 3. When, however, the solenoid 44 is de-energized, the springs 41 centralize the valve 4| so that the vane is returned to its intermediate or neutral position C, with the conduit 38 in communication with the centralizing port 31. The chambers 52 and 54 at this time are kept out of communication With the atmos- -phere through the ports 62 and 51, since the disc valve 58 overlies both of them. The move:

ment of the valve 4| is always confined to rectilinear translation by a pin 63 which engages a slot 54 in the side of the valve.

In accordance with my invention I provide means either for energizing the solenoids 44 and 45 alternately in rapid succession in order to produce a rapid oscillation of the indicating vane |3 between its extreme positions L and R, or, on the contrary, to energize either of the solenoids 44 and 45 for a relatively protracted period in order to hold the vane I3 in either one of its extreme positions L and R. In order ,to produce the rapid oscillation I provide a toggle switch. This includes a crank arm 12 rotatably mounted on the shaft 34 and having through one overturned end an aperture 73 encompassing a rod 14 pivotally mountedon a pin 15. A spring 11 is interposed between the pin 16 and the over-. turned end of the lever F2. The pin 16 is mounted in the collar H which is fast on the shaft 34, so that as the shaft moves out of its central position the collar H is rocked, thereby compressing the spring 7'! which, after it passes its point of maximum compression, again expands and in so doing rotates the lever 12.

This rotation of the lever 12 is between limits fixed by contacts 18 and i9, which control circuits for the two solenoids 44 and 4'6, respectively, so that when the lever 12 is in abutment with one of the contacts 78; one of the solenoids is energized, and when it is in abutment with the other contact 19 the other solenoid is energized. Since the operation of the lever 12 from one contact to the other takes place adjacent the end of the arcuate movement of the piston 36, thereby shitfing the valve and reversing the pressure on the piston, the arrangement is such that the valves are operated alternately to produce a rapid oscillation of the piston 36 and, correspondingly, of the indicating vane I3.

As shown in the wiring diagram, Fig. 15, electricity from a source 8|, such as a storage battery which has one side grounded, passes through a lead 92 and through a brush 83, to a distributor 84 preferably in the form of a spring conductor arm within the removable and rotatable top 89 of a gear-shift knob which is mounted on a gearshiftlever B1. The top is held in place by a lock nut so as to be freely rotatable on the lever 81.

Normally, the distributor 89 is in a central position in contact with a segment 89 connected by a lead 9! extending to a switch 92. This switch is controlled by the vehicle brake pedal 93 at the option of the vehicle operator. When the pedal 93 is depressed, the switch 92 is operated to connect the lead 9| with a lead 9% and a lead 96. The wire 99 extends to the globe 9 and likewise has an extension 91 which is joined to the conductor 22 through a rubbing contact 98, so that the globes I9 and H are likewise illuminated.

The conductor 94 is connected by a wire IOI to a brush I92 which bears against the hub of the lever 12. Current flows from the lever I2 into the contact I8 and thence through a connection I92 to the solenoid M, and, alternately, when the lever I2 is in abutment with the contact I9, flows through a conductor I93 into the solenoid 46. Since the lever I2 alternates in its connection with the contacts 13 and I9, the solenoids M and 46 are alternately energized.

This alternate energization is preferably indicated to the vehicle driver by a pair of connections I06 and I91 which extend respectively to indicating lights I98 and I99 located at any convenient position in the vehicle and which are illuminated alternately as the lever I2 oscillates. This oscillation continues as long as the pedal 93 is depressed, but when the pedal is released the switch 92 breaks connections and the oscillation of the signal ceases.

A similar result can be provided upon operation of the gear shift lever 81, especially into reverse position, by providing a lead I II extending from the lead 9I to a switch II2 which is actuated by movement of the lever 81 to connect the lead III with a conductor I 53 joined to the conductor 9S and a conductor H4 joined to the conductor I9I. When the lever 81 is moved into reverse position, therefore, the indicating vane I3 is illuminated and oscillates, with a comparable indication given to the vehicle driver. Thus, when the vehicle brake is applied, or when the gear shift lever is placed in reverse, the signal oscillates rapidly.

In order to afford an indication of right-hand and left-hand turning, the movable or rotatable top 86 of the gear-shift knob is rotated in an appropriate direction. This moves the distributor 84, for example, in a clockwise direction in Fig. 15, so that two segments I2I and I29 are bridged; the current is thereby carried from both of these segments, that flowing from the segment I2I passing through a lead I23 into the conductor I91 so that the solenoid 46 is energized and the indicator I99 illuminated, whereas that carried by the segment I29 passes through conductors I32 and I24 into a junction with the conductor 99 so that the globes I9 and 2|, as well as the globe 9, are illuminated. This affords an operation of the signal to give an indication of a right-hand turn.

The opposite direction is indicated when the knob top 86 is rotated toward the left, as seen in Fig. 15, whereupon the distributor 84 conducts current to two segments I28 and I22. That current which passes through segment I28 goes through a conductor I3I joined to the conductor I96, so that the solenoid 44 and the corresponding indicator I98 are energized; and that current which passes through the segment I22 is carried through the conductor I24 so that the globe 9 and the lights I9 and 2i are energized. If the distributor 84 is put into either extreme position when the brake pedal 93 is being actuated or when the gear-shift lever 8'1 is located in reverse position, the appropriate directional indication supersedes the rapid oscillation of the in dicating vane I3.

In accordance with the foregoing description it will be appreciated that I have'provided a signal which is operated by vacuum from the vehicle engine under the control of very simply installed electromagnetic instrumentalities, so that by means of electric switches the structure can be controlled to give a variety of signals to indicate clearly the course of operation of the vehicle to which the device is applied. Ample power is provided by the vacuum to afford positive and clear indications, while the electric control facilitates the installation of the device in vehicles of different kinds.

I claim:

1. A signal comprising an indicating vane, a pneumatic motor for operating said vane, electromagnetic valves connected to a pneumatic source and movable between an effective position and an ineffective position for controlling the operation of said motor, means for holding said valves in said ineffective position, electrically responsive means for moving said valves into effective position, and means operating when said valves are in ineffective position to hold said vane in a central position.

2. A signal comprising an indicating vane, a pneumatic motor for oscillating said vane between two extreme positions, electromagnetic means for connection with a pneumatic source for controlling said pneumatic motor, means for energizing said electromagnetic means to produce a repeated oscillation of said indicating vane between said extreme positions, and alternatively operable means for holding said vane in either of said extreme positions or in a position between said extreme positions.

3. A signal comprising an indicating vane, a pneumatic motor for oscillating said vane in an arcuate path, electromagnetic means for controlling said pneumatic motor, means responsive to operation of said motor for energizing said electromagnetic means for oscillating said vane, and means for disabling said responsive means and for energizing said electromagnetic means for holding said vane in any one of several positions in said path.

4. A signal comprising an indicating vane, a pneumatic motor for oscillating said vane, electromagnetic means for controlling said motor,

an electric circuit for said electromagnetic means,

means for affecting said circuit to operate said electromagnetic means for oscillating said vane, and means under control of an operator for disabling said affecting means and for conditioning said circuit to operate said electromagnetic means for holding said vane in a selected position.

5. In a signal, an indicating vane, a pneumatic motor for oscillating said vane, valve means for controlling said motor, electromagnetic means for operating said valve means, means for initially energizing said electromagnetic means, and means responsive to operation of said motor for controlling energization of said electromagnetic means.-

6. In a signal, an indicating vane, an oscillating pneumatic motor for oscillating said vane, valve means for controlling said motor, electromagnetic means for operating said valve means, means for initially energizing said electromagnetic means, and means responsive to operation of said motor for controlling energization of said electromagnetic means.

7. In a signal, an indicating vane, an oscillating pneumatic motor for oscillating said vane, valve means for controlling said motor, electromagnetic means for operating said valve means, means responsive to operation of said motor for energizing said electromagnetic means, and manually operated means for disabling said responsive means and for energizing said electromagnetic means.

8. In a signal, an indicating vane, a pneumatic motor for oscillating said vane, including electromagnetically actuated valve means, means for initially. energizing said valve means, and means responsive to the operation of said motor for controlling the actuation of said valve means after initial energization thereof.

9. A signal comprising an indicating vane, a pneumatic motor for oscillating said vane, electromagnetic valves for controlling the operation of said motor, means operated by said motor for controlling said valves to produce a repetitive oscillation of said vane, and means for disabling said motor operated means and for controlling said valves to produce a movement of said vane into either of two extreme positions.

10. A signal comprising an indicating vane, a pneumatic motor for oscillating said vane, electromagnetic means 'for controlling said motor, a circuit for said electromagnetic means, means driven by said motor for controlling the energization of said electromagnetic means by said circuit, and manually controllable means for disabling said motor operated means and for energizing said electromagnetic means.

JAMES G. MORAN. 

